Bernard Hopkins missed a chance to become the oldest boxer to hold a major world title, fighting to a technical draw with Canadian Jean Pascal on Saturday night. The 45-year-old Hopkins (51-5-2) rallied after being knocked down in the first and third rounds.

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will challenge Francois Botha for the lightly regarded WBF title in Uganda on Jan. 16. Organizers of the fight in Kampala's Nambole Stadium said on Thursday that both fighters had signed contracts. A turnout of about 80,000 fans was predicted.

Despite turning 44 this week, Bernard Hopkins is holding on to boxing. But not for much longer. "I'm waiting to get a reasonable date to fight between now and late spring. Then it's a wrap. Meaningful fights, they're not there anymore. I've outlasted them all."

Kelly Pavlik already is recognized as the world's best middleweight, but June 7 will be more about how he wins not if. The result could go a long way in determining if the slugger can grow into a must-see attraction no matter who he fights, even an opponent such as little-known Welshman Gary Lockett (30-1, 21 knockouts), a mandatory challenger who lacks a significant victory vs. a recognized opponent.